23 May, 2012

We were kicking around the idea of making a U-lock holder to work with Velo Orange racks. This is one design I came up with. It's simply a strip of leather tied to the rail of a rear constructeur rack; it would work with a front rack too. We used the leather we make mud flaps from. There are notches to keep the twine from slipping off. You could probably make your own from an old thick leather belt. I don't think we'll make them.

On another subject. I notice that VO Croissant bags, and other similar bags, are often attached incorrectly, which allows them to sway and bounce. The strap should come out of one the holes, go around one saddle rail, go back into the bag, then come out the other hole and around the other rail. Well, you can see what I mean in the photo. A further refinement is to have the buckle inside the bag. By the way, this style of bag is still my favorite. They hold just enough for a whole day on the bike.

I have carried a u-lock on a rear rack like that and it jumped right out when I ran over a speed bump at decent speed. There should be some kind of retention strap, perhaps a simple leather strip that folds over the top and snaps/buttons down.

I use a VO baguette bag attached to the bag loops on my saddle. There is just enough space within the straps connecting to the bag loops to slip my u-lock and lock it on. The lock hangs sideways, and the bag straps hold the lock tight enough that it does move. Only problem is that it takes away from the beauty of the bag and saddle, killing the aesthetic.

I manage to carry two u-locks (I'm paranoid!) on the rear constructeur rack on my Polyvalent 1.0 by threading the open end of each "U" up through the rack, one lock on each side. The locking part goes on, and rests on the center part of the rack. There isn't that much clanking, given that the locks are plastic coated.

no, don't make it - it just doesn't look like something that one would pay money for.

on the other hand, there are lost of artisanal leather accessory companies in the US with whom you could possibly partner on making something that looks like some thought went into the design and production of it. billkirk, noah lambert, corter leather, jepsen, leather works mn, etc.